The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-10-01
SIAMESE AMAZONS.
A Kings. Military Body Guard Composed
Entirely of Women.

Among the other visitors to the ex-
hibition has been the Prince of Siam,
brother to the King He is little
man, but has an olive complexion
and black eyes, speaks English per-
fectly. and has charming manners.
AS an example Of one of the good re-
suits of the American exhibition, dur
ing his visit he made most careful in
spection of the goods in the main
building and spent thousands Of dol
lars on all the useful things he saw
which were up to the present time un-
known in Siam. He gave an order for
one hundred typewriters to one manu-
facturer, large order for safes to an
other, ordered four dozen carpet
sweepers, steam engine. and num-
Der of other ingenious things which at
tracted his attention. so that these ex-
hibiters have the satisfaction of know
ing that they have opened market for
themselves in Siam at 20 greater ex-
pense than going to the American ex-
hibition. The fashion having been set
by the Prince, large orders for all these
goods he assured them would follow;
it would therefore appear that the
people in his country. which very few
of us stop to realize is twice as large
in its area as France, and has popu-
! lation of about To- 600. 600 people, are
all making rapid strides toward mod
ern civilization.
He gave us some curious informa-
ton, however, about the Kings anna
IONS, the Royal Guard being composed
entirely of women. This battalion con-
sists of four hundred women, chosen
among the handsomest and most ro-
bust girls in the country. They re-
ceive excellent pay, and their discipline
is perfect. They are admitted to serve
at the age of thirteen, and are placed
in the army of reserve at the age Of
twenty-five. From that period they no
longer serve about the Kings person.
but are employed to guard the royal
palaces and the crown lands.
On entering the army the amazons
make a VOW of chastity, for which
there is no exemption unless any of
them should attract the Kings atten-
ton and be admitted among his legiti-
mate wives. The Kings choice sell
dom falls on the most beautiful, but
on the most skilled in military exer-
| else. The costume these women wear
is very rich. Their full dress is COM
| posed of white wooden robe, en-
broidered with gold. The cloth is cx-
tremely fine, and descends as far as
the knee; it is covered with light
coat of mail and gilt cuirass. The
arms are free, and the head Is covered
with a gilt casque. When wearing
this dress on state occasions their only
weapon is lance, which they handle
with wonderful dexterity. With their
undress they are armed with a mus
ket. The battalion is composed of
four companies. and each company of
one hundred women, commanded by a
Captain of their own sex. Should the
Captain die, the the company is drilled
during three days by the King, who
appoints the most competent to sue
coed to the command.
The King of Siam never undertakes
any expedition without being accom-
panied by his female guard, nor does he
ever hunt. or even ride. without an escort
of the same guard. who are devotedly
attached to his person. Every individ-
ual Of the battalion has five negresses
attached to her service. and, having
thus no domestic occupation. she can
devote herself exclusively to the duties
of her profession. There is parade
ground near the city, where one COM
pany are stationed for two days every
week to exercise themselves in the use
of the lance, the pistol, and the rifle.
The King attends once month at
those exercises accompanied by his
brother. who shares in some degree
the sovereign power, and distributes
prizes to those most deserving. When
the death of one of the parties ensues,
the deceased receives magnificent
funeral, and the high priest pro-
nounces panegyric declaring that
the deceased by her valor has merited
eternal rest in the abode of the blessed
The survivor receives the congratula-
tons of her companions; but as a
measure of discipline, she is sentenced
to pass two months away from her
company in fasting and prayer. The
military organization of this battalion
is so perfect that the entire army en-
deavors to initiate it.-London Cor.
Chicago Tribune.